ATF Online+ Unveils Full Event Lineup

The full schedule for the Asia TV Forum & Market (ATF), which returns this week with a four-day virtual event, has been revealed.

The program will feature industry leaders discussing and providing insights on a variety of topics, partnership announcements and an exclusive look at how China’s film and TV industry has developed in 2020, with a 2021 forecast. Leading the ATF Online+ lineup are Dr. Michael Gryseels, president of True Digital Group from Thailand, and Archana Anand, chief business officer of ZEE5, who will talk about the significance of sustainable models and investments in the digital economy. Other highlights include WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks sharing strategies for maneuvring the challenges in the year ahead.

A panel discussion will see the Singapore Tourism Board, Studio Dragon and iQIYI join forces to provide insights and share more about their latest partnership to promote the Destination Singapore story. The ATF In Development program includes pitches and a Speed Dating Program for co-production and commissioning. Producers and creators alike will be given the opportunity to pitch their projects to decision-makers, including commissioning editors, distributors, co-producers, investors and talent agencies.

The ATF Formats Pitch calls for new and exciting originals from unscripted entertainment, with 108 Media, Nippon TV, ITV studios, MongolTV and The Format People serving on the judging panel. The ATF Animation Pitch calls for original, creative animated programs with edutainment value for children within Asia, with experts from Kidoodle.TV, Toonz Animation India, WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks and WEKIDS as part of the judging panel. The Chinese Pitch, which calls for original innovations in movie or drama formats that appeal to Chinese-speaking territories, is currently going through the judging process.

ATF Online+ takes place from December 1 to 4, with on-demand available through February 28, 2021.

Yeow Hui Leng, group project director of ATF, said: “Digital convergence and COVID-19 have changed the way content is consumed, and they have also inspired new ways of collaborating and storytelling. This 21st edition of ATF underlines its coming of age in a new era and we look forward to facilitating conversations and connections, as we head into 2021.”

Diana Yurinova, VP of international business development and distribution of Riki Group, winner of ATF Animation Pitch 2019, said: “The competition was tough, but we are so grateful that the experts recognized the potential for Weatherville and our network of other Southeast Asian creatives and developers have grown exponentially. With that, the potential to take the show to the markets has increased as well.”